FICO Credit Scores 101: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

FICO is the most recognizable name in credit scores. The Fair Isaac Corporation (now called FICO), which developed the FICO credit scoring model, says its scores are used by 90% of top U.S. lenders in 90% of lending decisions. There are currently several types of FICO scores available. The most widely used model is FICO 8, though the company has also created FICO 9 and FICO 10 Suite, which consists of FICO 10 and FICO 10T. There are also older versions of the score that are still used in specific lending scenarios, such as for mortgages and car loans.

Key Takeaways

  • FICO scores are the most widely used credit scores in the U.S. for consumer lending decisions.
  • There are multiple FICO credit scoring models, each of which uses slightly different criteria.
  • FICO scores are based on the information collected on individual consumers by the three major credit bureaus, including their payment history, credit utilization, and the age of their accounts.

How FICO Scores Work

FICO scores were introduced in 1989. The company uses information found in individual consumers' credit reports to calculate credit scores for them. These scores are then used by lenders to gauge each consumer's creditworthiness and determine whether to approve their applications for loans, credit cards, and other borrowing.

FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with 850 considered a perfect score. The higher your score, the better your odds of being approved for loans and lines of credit at the most favorable interest rates.

FICO scores are based on these five factors:

  • Payment history (35%)
  • Amounts owed (30%)
  • Length of credit history (15%)
  • New credit (10%)
  • Credit mix (10%)

Individuals can have more than one FICO score. The multiple FICO score versions in use today include:

  • FICO 2
  • FICO 3
  • FICO 4
  • FICO 5
  • FICO 8
  • FICO 9
  • FICO 10 and 10T

Each scoring model may be used in different lending situations. FICO scores 2, 4, and 5, for example, are used by both mortgage and auto lenders to determine borrowers' creditworthiness.Currently, the most common FICO score is FICO 8. This version also can be used in auto lending, as well as for personal loan and credit card decisions.

Each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—generates consumer credit reports, which then are used to calculate FICO credit scores. You might have different scores for each bureau, based on the information that's been reported to them by your creditors.

What Is a Good Credit Score?

FICO classifies its scores as exceptional, very good, good, fair, and poor. The table shows which number ranges are associated with which rating.

FICO Score Ratings
Exceptional800 to 850
Very Good740 to 799
Good670 to 739
Fair580 to 669
Very Poor300 to 579

What Is FICO 8?

FICO 8 is still the most widely used credit score today. If you apply for a credit card or personal loan, odds are that the lender will check your FICO 8 score.

FICO 8 is unique in its treatment of factors such as credit utilization, late payments, and small-balance collection accounts. Here are some key things to note about FICO 8:

  • This scoring model is more sensitive to higher credit utilization (meaning the percentage of your available credit that you're using at any given time).
  • Isolated late payments on your credit report may not count against you as much as having multiple late payments.
  • Small-balance collection accounts, in which the original balance was less than $100, are ignored for scoring purposes.

It's also worth pointing out that there are different versions of FICO 8. With FICO Bankcard Score 8, which is used when you apply for a credit card, the focus is on how you've handled credit cards in the past. FICO Auto Score 8, on the other hand, doesn't emphasize credit card activity and history as heavily.

What Is FICO 9?

FICO 9 was introduced in 2016 and is available to both lenders and consumers. While not as widely used as FICO 8, this scoring model has some features that could help certain consumers improve their credit scores.

Here are the most noteworthy aspects of FICO 9:

  • Third-party collection accounts that have been paid in full no longer have a negative impact for credit scoring.
  • Unpaid medical collection accounts have less of a negative impact compared with other types of unpaid collection accounts.
  • Rental history can now be factored into FICO 9 credit scores, which may help people with limited credit history.

FICO 9 credit scores are available to consumers for free through lenders that participate in the FICO Score Open Access program. Your credit card company, for example, may offer free FICO 9 credit scores as one of its customer benefits.

Important

Rent payments aren't factored into FICO 9 scores automatically. Your landlord has to report your payment history to one or all three of the major credit bureaus for your rent payments to be included.

What Are FICO 10 and FICO 10T?

FICO 10 and FICO 10T are new credit scoring models announced in 2020. FICO says the FICO Credit Score 10 Suite is designed to be its most predictive scoring model yet, giving lenders a more precise picture of someone's credit risk.FICO 10 and FICO 10T still follow the same basic FICO algorithm that focuses on payment history, credit utilization, credit age, credit mix, and credit inquiries. What makes FICO 10T different is the use of trended data.

Trended data looks at a person's credit patterns for the previous 24 months or longer. It takes into account things such as whether you carry a balance on your credit cards from month to month or always pay in full, and whether you've consolidated debts at any point during that time period.

The company expects FICO 10 and FICO 10T to eventually overtake FICO 8 as the most popular scoring models.

FICO Credit Scores vs. Other Credit Scores

While FICO scores dominate the credit scoring business, they're not the only product out there. The three major credit bureaus launched a competitor, VantageScore, in 2006. Its scores originally ranged from 501 to 900, but VantageScore 3 adopted the same 300-to-850 range as the FICO score. Like the FICO score, it is calculated using information from your credit reports, but it weights the various factors differently.

As with FICO scores, there are several different VantageScores, the most recent being VantageScore 4.0. Some credit card issuers, such as American Express, and other companies that offer free credit scores to their customers provide VantageScores rather than FICO scores.

How Can You Learn Your Credit Score?

You can purchase your credit score or obtain it for free from many banks and credit card companies. There are also websites where you can obtain free scores. Bear in mind that you probably have multiple credit scores, and the ones that you can get for free may not be identical to all the others.

How Can You Obtain Your Credit Reports?

You are entitled to see your credit reports from all three of the major credit bureaus at least once a year at the official website, AnnualCreditReport.com.

Do Credit Reports Show Your Credit Score?

No. While your credit scores are based on the information in your credit reports, they are not included in them.

The Bottom Line

FICO scores are the most widely used credit scores today, and there are multiple versions of them. Regardless of which FICO scoring model is involved, the same rules apply for maintaining a good score. These include paying bills on time, keeping your credit utilization ratio low, and applying for new credit sparingly.

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FICO Credit Scores 101: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What is your FICO credit score Why do you need to know about this? ›

A FICO Score is a three-digit number based on the information in your credit reports. It helps lenders determine how likely you are to repay a loan. This, in turn, affects how much you can borrow, how many months you have to repay, and how much it will cost (the interest rate).

What is credit score 101? ›

Your credit score is the foundation of your financial identity, it's the number used by lenders as an indicator of how likely you are to repay your debts. It's a rating that reflects your financial habits and credit history, which financial institutions use to assess your risk as a credit applicant.

Which FICO credit score is the most important? ›

For other types of credit, such as personal loans, student loans and retail credit, you'll likely want to know your FICO® Score 8, which is the score most widely used by lenders.

What is the basic credit score for FICO? ›

The base FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850, and a good credit score is between 670 and 739 within that range. FICO creates different types of consumer credit scores.

What credit score is needed to buy a house? ›

For a conventional mortgage in California, you typically need a minimum score of at least 600. If you qualify for certain government-backed loans, however, you may be able to buy a home with a score as low as 500.

How rare is 900 credit score? ›

It's exceedingly rare for anyone to have a credit score over 900, as most credit scoring models have a maximum limit of 850, and even achieving that score is uncommon.

What credit score is needed for AAA credit card? ›

If you want to apply for the AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card, we suggest having a FICO® Score of 670 or higher. This credit card is intended for consumers with good credit. Other factors are also assessed when determining approval, such as income and current debt.

What matters more FICO or credit score? ›

"For years, there has been a lot of confusion among consumers over which credit scores matter. While there are many types of credit scores, FICO Scores matter the most because the majority of lenders use these scores to decide whether to approve loan applicants and at what interest rates."

What FICO score do car dealers use? ›

Your FICO score is a representation of your credit worthiness. FICO offers specific products and solutions for car dealers and auto loans. Their product is called Auto Score 8. As you can see here from FICO's promotional materials, Auto Score 8 is meant to help dealers, “Improve accuracy and speed of decision making.

Is a FICO score of 8 good or bad? ›

FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score. There are also industry-specific versions of credit scores that businesses use. For example, the FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the most widely used score when you apply for a new credit card or a credit-limit increase.

Is FICO the same as credit score? ›

Is "credit score" the same as "FICO® score"? Basically, "credit score" and "FICO® score" are all referring to the same thing. A FICO® score is a type of credit scoring model. While different reporting agencies may weigh factors slightly differently, they are all essentially measuring the same thing.

Does FICO score matter? ›

A FICO score provides lenders with an indication of your ability to pay back debt. The higher your score, the less of a risk you represent to the lender and the more likely you are to be approved for a line of credit.

What is the purpose of FICO? ›

A FICO score provides lenders with an indication of your ability to pay back debt. The higher your score, the less of a risk you represent to the lender and the more likely you are to be approved for a line of credit.

What is a FICO score in Quizlet? ›

FICO score. -a credit rating developed by Fair Isaac & Company. -developed in the late 1950's and is now widely accepted by lenders, insurance companies, employers, landlords, and others as a reliable means of credit evaluation. -3 digit numbers ranging from 300-850.

Is your FICO score your credit score? ›

Is "credit score" the same as "FICO® score"? Basically, "credit score" and "FICO® score" are all referring to the same thing. A FICO® score is a type of credit scoring model. While different reporting agencies may weigh factors slightly differently, they are all essentially measuring the same thing.

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